CCSA is deeply disappointed in the action taken by the Trump Administration today, which places hundreds of thousands of immigrant students benefiting from our public education system in jeopardy by rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We believe it is unconscionable to punish DACA recipients who were brought here as children, many of whom have only known the US as their home. Many DACA recipients are attending, have graduated from, or are employed in California charter schools. These young people, along with hundreds of thousands of other Dreamers, have built professional and personal lives that are resulting in vitally important contributions happening in communities across California and indeed across this entire nation, and they deserve much better treatment than they are seeing today.

Since it first came into question whether DACA would be continued, CCSA has taken a firm stance in support of Dreamers and has called upon our members to take action in support of extending protections for young people under the DACA program. We see these efforts as a natural extension of the work we do on an everyday basis to advance the values of social justice and civil rights that have motivated the charter school movement since its inception. Put simply, we believe that public education is a fundamental right that all young people are entitled to in our state and in our country, and any discontinuation of the DACA program puts at risk that fundamental right.

To that end, CCSA will actively monitor the advocacy landscape and will encourage our members to take additional action to ensure that all Dreamers receive the permanent solution they deserve. In the meantime, should you have questions or comments about CCSA's advocacy efforts related to the DACA program, or should you wish to access resources regarding immigration matters of particular interest to charter schools, we encourage you to visit CCSA's website or email us at info@ccsa.org.